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Flight Deals

Why you need a new ‘return booking’ strategy

Over the many decades that we have all been travelling, it has almost always been a case of booking a return fare, as opposed to buying two single fares simply because a ‘bundle’ has always been cheaper than the individual parts.

But the last two years have proved that our decades of travelling experience count for nothing.

The Australian Government has announced its imminent plans to open international borders, resulting in a flood of eager travellers who are ready to book and ready to fly.

But a word of caution. Actually, a few words of caution. Choosing the ‘return bundle’ is no longer   the best option. Not right now anyway.

Making any predictions into the future is a risky proposition, especially in the world of travel. But we can explain what all of this means for you in the present-day scenario with a great deal of certainty.

Booking a flight OUT of Australia to India, is by far the cheapest option. As you are aware, airfares are a complex function of several variables, and at present the rates will be low.

But what about the return leg? As things stand, flying back into Australia is an expensive option.

Again, there is very little travel agencies like us can do about it, owing to numerous external factors out of anyone’s control.

I haven’t seen my family in years

We hear you. Which is why we recommend the following:

If you are travelling to India to visit family and friends, we suggest you wait until the return fares become normalised and then book your way back to Australia.

As our customers, you will be the first to know of the changes in the return fares.

Over the last two years, numerous families have been separated geographically. Let us put an end to all the waiting, to all the ‘I miss you’ messages, to the yearning thoughts about loved ones – let us put you on a flight to the country that continues to live on in your heart.

But if you don’t have to rush back to Australia, then we suggest, you wait and watch. While none of us have a crystal ball to read the future, what we know is that as both India and Australia continue to march towards their vaccination targets, the restrictions on the number of passengers will change, along with a few other factors.

It will only become easier to book a cost-efficient journey back to Australia.

So, what should be my new travel strategy?

Book a one-way ticket to wherever home is and we will get you there. Re-unite with your family, celebrate all the birthdays you missed, fill your heart with the smells and flavours of India and wait….until the time is right to book your return flight.

If in doubt, please speak to our friendly staff. We have spoken to thousands of passengers, and we know what you need to have a beautiful trip to India…and back.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gauratravel.com.au/flight-deals/

Categories
Travel Guide

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms India travel ban to end

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the India travel ban imposed on 3 May will likely come to an end on May 15.

According to the ban, from May 3, Australians who travelled to India in the last 14 days will be prohibited from entering Australia due to concerns over India’s escalating Covid-19 pandemic, which nearly saw 400,000 cases in a single day on Sunday.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said any individual who overlooked the new restrictions would confront five years’ imprisonment, a fine of $66,600, or both.

Australian Government received a backlash for implementing the travel ban

The Australian government has come under the scrutiny and faced a major backlash for their act not just from the Indian community but also the members of the government. Media houses addressed, it is the first time that Australians have been criminalized for attempting to get back to their nation. No comparable measures were set up at the height of the Covid-19 epidemics in the UK and the US.

Speaking to sunrise, Morrison said the purpose of the temporary travel suspension was to give Australia time to prepare to safely repatriate and quarantine returned travellers.

“We needed to take a pause to make sure we put Australia in a safer position to bring people safely home,” he explained. Morrison also added that, the ban was a temporary two week pause and not a four months lockdown. All they wanted to ensure was the country does not face a third wave of COVID-19.

Prime Minister defends the Travel ban

Responding to the criticism faced over the travel ban, he defended the government’s policy and all accusations against it.  “There is a raging pandemic, and we need to just continue to make decisions that are in the best health interests of Australia”

There are an estimated 9000 Australians stranded in India with a hope of returning to Australia.  “At least open the doors for us … By closing borders, you have just killed our hope,” says Pankaj Sharma who is stranded in India for the past 8 months.

Looing at the brighter side, from May 15, all flights from India to Australia will resume back in operation.

Gaura Travel flights will be running as scheduled. The current dates available are 28 May, 4 June and 11 June.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gauratravel.com.au/flight-deals/


Categories
Flight Deals

Flights from India to Australia are open and operating normally

National Cabinet of Australia recently announced a temporary reduction to the number of incoming flights from India to Australia, amid a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in India.

This news comes as India overtook Brazil with the highest number of COVID-19 cases recorded in a day. India has seen more than 314,000 cases in the past 24 hours.

There are more than 34,000 Australians overseas, wanting to come back including from India. So, what changes will be made now? How is it affecting the flights from India to Australia?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is changing?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that chartered and direct flights from India would be cut by 30 per cent and departures to India would be limited in the following months. The inbound flights would be operating normally, however only the capacity will be reduced. 

India has been highlighted in the “high-risk’ countries, thus it becomes extremely crucial for Australia to take this step in order to combat the alarming situation.

Department of home affairs also added, “Australian government had a humanitarian need to help the returning travellers, but the ongoing repatriation effort needed to be weighed up with the safety of Australian citizens”.

The plunge in the capacity of flights would apply to both the government-organised repatriation flights and commercial flights into Sydney.

What are the new rules?

Australia will change testing requirements for people returning from high- risk countries overseas. Passengers travelling from India to Australia will need to have a PCR coronavirus test 72 hours before leaving.

Travellers need to hold a negative virus test before boarding a flight and will be tested twice in hotel quarantine for 14 days. This comes as an addition to other testing rules, including by the airlines.

Our flights from India to Australia will operate normally, and there will be an opportunity for people in India to travel back to Australia in a controlled and safe manner.

What will happen to Australians currently in India?

If you’re wondering you will be eligible to travel to Australia or no then the answer is, Yes. People stuck in India, will still be allowed to enter Australia. Flights to Australia will also be operating normally, but with a 30 per cent decrease in the frequency. This is no way affects our charter flights running from India to Australia. Our flights will be operational as per the confirmed dates and all protocols will be followed as usual.

Our flights from India to Australia

We have our direct charter flights operating from India to Australia on 14th May. The flights will be running from all major cities in India to Perth and Adelaide. The flight has a duration of 17 hours including the transit in Malaysia. All flights will be running as scheduled with no changes in the itinerary.

How to book my ticket to Australia?

The flight operations to India from all the major cities of Australia in May will continue as per the schedule.  However, at the moment the only people eligible to Travel are:

  • Australia passport Holders
  • Indian Passport holders with Permanent Residency
  • People who hold an exemption from Australian Border Forces to travel to Australia.

If you are eligible to travel to Australia you can check dates available and book your ticket here: Charter Flights from India to Australia.

Can I travel from Australia to India?

Yes, you can travel from Australia to India. There are exemptions being given to travellers who want to travel to India. However, similar to the reduction in capacity of incoming passengers, the granting of exemptions will be tightened.

According to the Prime Minister, the border force will ensure travel exemptions are granted to people who are in very urgent circumstances. Exemptions will still be given to people travelling to India, however the state of urgency will be prioritised.


We are here with you!

Rain or shine, day or night we are here to provide you with a seamless travel experience no matter what. We took the matters into our own hands when no commercial flights were operating to India, and now we will do whatever it takes to connect you back with the land down under. All rules and protocols will be followed as usual and strict measures will be taken to ensure a safe travel.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gauratravel.com.au/flight-deals/